In recognition of the thirtieth anniversary of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in July of 1990, we offer a sampling of our collections and publications related to disability history. As part of our mission to preserve records produced by state government and agencies, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) houses materials relevant to the historical efforts to provide services to Texans with disabilities. TSLAC also preserves materials from other entities and individuals that contains information related to this theme. Our reference library serves as a federal depository and therefore includes numerous US government publications on the ADA along with titles specific to Texas. All of the publications listed are also available online.
Archival Collections Related to Disability History in Texas
Texas State Board of Control records, 1854, 1885-1890, 1909-1979, undated (agency with oversight of the state schools and hospitals, and schools for the deaf and blind from 1920-1949).
Texas Board for State Hospitals and Special Schools, Texas Confederate Woman’s Home resident files, about 1900-1965.
Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
- General Counsel, Lelsz litigation case, about 1974-1995.
- Community Services Division executive director memos, 1995-1978.
- Minutes and agenda, 1965-1984, 1986-1987, 1989-2004.
- Records, 1967-1983 (meeting materials and outreach programs).
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Texas Governor records
- Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities public relations materials, 1995-2014.
- Governor George W. Bush Policy Office records, 1970, 1982-2000.
- Governor Allred records, 1931-1939.
- Texas. Office of the Governor. Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation Facility Review Task Force records, 1966, 1984-1993.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- General Counsel’s Office, Ruiz litigation case (includes some issues relating to disabilities of inmates).
Texas Research and Oversight Council on Workers’ Compensation records, 1989-1999.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired meeting files, 1856-1919, 1979-2015.
Texas School for the Deaf minutes and agenda, 1982-1998.
Texas Commission for the Blind records, 1932-2003, undated.
Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing records, 1972-2004.
Texas State Department of Health records, 1853, 1899-1901, 1910, 1921-1955, undated.
Texas Bureau of State Health Planning and Resource Development. Texas Medical Facilities Inventory and Utilization reports, 1973-1983.
Texas Department of Public Welfare Executive Office central files, 1943-1977.
Texas Board of Human Services
- Meeting files, 1933-2004.
- Records (copies of handbooks/manuals and some historical files), 1954-1981 (this finding aid is not available online)
Texas Department on Aging records, 1957-2002.
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs records, 1972-2001.
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services records, 1992-2000.
Texas Adjutant General’s Texas State Troops records, 1861-1865, undated.
Texas Comptroller Confederate pension application records, 1899-1979 (you had to be indigent and unable to support yourself, the applications note a number of diseases and disabilities).
Texas Veterans Commission records, 1918, 1935-1937, 1944, 1947-2006.
Texas Youth Commission Morales case files, 1949-1990 (health care and lack thereof was one of the issues in this landmark lawsuit).
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Director and Librarian’s records (include records of programs/services for blind and physically handicapped patrons).
Texas Library and Archives Commission chairman’s files (include records of programs/services for blind and physically handicapped patrons).
Texas State Library and Archives Commission, records (include records of programs/services for blind and physically handicapped patrons).
Texas Rehabilitation Commission records, 1969-1996 (this finding aid is not available online).
Austin State Hospital bulletins, 1960-1964 (this finding aid is not available online)
Austin State School records, 1917-1919 (correspondence of J.W. Bradfield, superintendent of the school) (this finding aid is not available online).
Josephine Lamb collection, 1931, 1942-1969, undated (head of psychiatric nursing in the state hospitals in the 1950s-60s).
Anne Michel valedictory address (valedictory address made by Annie Michel at the Texas Institution for the Blind, dated 1884).
Zachary Taylor Fulmore biography (contains photographs, correspondence and biographical notes pertaining to his support for education in Texas including the Stuart Female Seminary; Austin Public School; State School for the Blind; Colored Deaf, Dumb and Blind School and others, dated 1954. Fulmore (1846–1923) was a lawyer, judge, author and charter member of the Texas State Historical Association).
“The Lone Star” Graduation Numbers (Graduation editions – referred to as numbers – of the “Lone Star,” a magazine produced by the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas. The magazines are dated 1933-1938).
Republic Claims, particularly pension claims, which may include claims by veterans injured while serving in the Republic of Texas:
Governor George W. Bush, Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities records
Texas Confederate Home Roster (available in Archives Reading Room Transcriptions of entries from the roster and the ledger are available by request, by emailing archinfo@tsl.texas.gov. The original records are not available to view).
Publications Related to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Disability History
From isolation to participation– : a history of disability in Texas, 1835-1999
G1001.8 F925 1999 OVER-T
Available online: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1204314/m1/
Disability history [electronic resource] : an important part of America’s heritage : defining the next generation
L 41.2:D 63/3 (electronic resource)
Available online: https://permanent.fdlp.gov/gpo12332/Disability%2520History_508%2520compliant_links.pdf
History of the provisions of old-age, survivors, disability, and health insurance, 1935-1996
SSA 1.2:OL 1
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011325808
Beyond the cases: 26 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act : the lives, faces, and stories behind the ADA
J 1.2:D 63/10 (electronic resource)
Available online: https://permanent.fdlp.gov/gpo121018/beyond_cases_26yrs.pdf
An Act to Restore the Intent and Protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 [electronic resource]
AE 2.110:110-325 (electronic resource, also available in print)
Available online: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-110publ325/pdf/PLAW-110publ325.pdf
The impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act [electronic resource] : assessing the progress toward achieving the goals of the ADA
Y 3.D 63/3:2 IM 7/3 (electronic resource)
Available online: https://wayback.archive-it.org/3658/20160329060700/https://www.ncd.gov/publications/2007/07262007
Implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act [electronic resource] : challenges, best practices, and new opportunities for success
Y 3.D 63/3:2 IM 7/2 (electronic resource)
Available online: https://permanent.fdlp.gov/lps91121/implementation-07-26-07.pdf
NCD and the Americans with Disabilities Act [electronic resource] : 15 years of progress
Y 3.D 63/3:2 AM 3/4 (electronic resource)
Available online: https://permanent.fdlp.gov/lps97365/15yearprogress.pdf
Wilderness accessibility for people with disabilities [electronic resource] : a report to the President and the Congress of the United States on Section 507(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Y 3.D 63/3:2 W 64
Available online: https://permanent.fdlp.gov/lps97467/wilderness.pdf
Legislative history of Public Law 101-336, the Americans with Disabilities Act : prepared for the Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, second session
Y 4.ED 8/1:102-C
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011336939
An Act to Establish a Clear and Comprehensive Prohibition of Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
AE 2.110:101-336
Available online: https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm
The American with Disabilities Act Public Law 101-336 [electronic resource]
L 41.2:2004018154
Available online: https://www.webharvest.gov/peth04/20041108022736/http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/ada92fs.htm
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the health professional : an introduction to what health professionals need to know about employment of people with disabilities
PREX 1.10:H 34/2/BRAILLE
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011416482
The Americans with Disabilities Act : how is Texas doing? : the initial report of the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities on the state’s implementation of the ADA
G1001.8 AM35
Available online: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1204507/m1/
Veterans with service-connected disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [electronic resource] : a guide for employers
Y 3.EQ 2:8 V 64
Available online: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS105556
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 : hearings before the Committee on Labor and Human Resources and the Subcommittee on the Handicapped, United States Senate, One Hundred First Congress, first session, on S. 933 … May 9, 10, and 16, and June 22, 1989
Y 4.L 11/4:S.HRG.101-156
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008516709
Joint hearing on H.R. 2273, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 : joint hearing before the Subcommittees on Select Education and Employment Opportunities of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, first session, hearing held in Washington, DC, July 18, 1989
Y 4.ED 8/1:101-37
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/007605519
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 : hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, first session, on H.R. 2273 … August 3, October 11 and 12, 1989
Y 4.J 89/1:101/58
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008516943
Americans with Disabilities Act : hearing before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, first session, on H.R. 2273 and S. 933, bills to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability, September 28, 1989
Y 4.EN 2/3:101-95
Available online: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/007606121
This link fails on Firefox, Google Chrome, and MS edge
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/outofthestacks/americans-with-disabilities-act-at-30/ then click
Texas Confederate Woman’s Home resident files, about 1900-1965.
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